Free Republic

ynn Engelman still has no idea whether her doctors in Contra Costa County will be on her new health care plan -- and neither, she says, do her doctors. Capitola resident Kathryn Johnson has already paid the first month's bill for her new policy through the state's new health insurance exchange, but she just received a letter telling her she hasn't signed up for a plan. And in San Leandro, Linda Entrikin is one of 900,000 Californians suffering from whiplash after the Obama administration's surprise announcement Thursday that people whose insurance plans have been canceled can replace them with cheap,...

SACRAMENTO -- The first federal corruption probe since five lawmakers went to prison a decade ago has hit the Capitol like a tornado over the last few days, raising both hopes and fears for legislators statewide, analysts said Monday. Some senators are concerned the probe of the Senate leader-elect and its aftermath could damage majority Democrats in coming clashes with Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger over issues such as the budget. Others see chances for higher-ranking jobs in the potential toppling of Sen. Don Perata, D-Oakland, which could upset the balance of power between Northern and Southern California in the Legislature....

You know you're from California if: 1. Your co-worker has eight body piercings and none are visible, 2. You make over $300,000 and still can't afford a house, 3. You take a bus and are shocked at two people carrying on a conversation in English, 4. Your child's third-grade teacher has purple hair, a nose ring, and is named Breeze, 5. You can't remember . . . is pot illegal? 6. You've been to a baby shower that has two mothers and a sperm donor, 7. You have a very strong opinion about where your coffee beans are grown, and...

Dear Sierra Friends, A very good Friday afternoon to you all! In case you had not heard, I wanted to make sure you knew that the Sierra Nevada Conservancy bill, AB 2600, will be heard on the Senate Floor this coming Monday, August 23. Senator Bruce McPherson (R—Santa Cruz) will be presenting AB 2600 as the bill’s official floor jockey. Below, I am including material we’ve put together on the highlights of the consensus reached by Assemblyman Leslie and Assemblyman Laird and the Schwarzenegger Administration. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me by phone or e mail....